Police arrest suspected kidnapper in Niger

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

Niger State Police Command has arrested one Mohammed Bande a.k.a Kachalla of Saminaka village, Lapai LGA, with the sum of N1.207 million.

He was arrested by the operatives of the AntiKidnapping Unit attached to SCID Minna.

The suspect based on credible intelligence was arrested in Lambata area of Gurara LGA for being suspected to be in possession of cash to purchase arms and ammunition.

During interrogation, he confessed that the money was given to him by one Gora of same village presently at large, to meet a yet-to-be-identified arms dealer at Lambata to

Oil theft: Group tackles Dokubo, says allegations unfounded

Unity Advocacy Group, (UAG), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), has condemned allegations by ex-militant, Asari Dokubo, that some Nigerian military personnel are behind most of the oil thefts in the country.

The group, in a statement by its Convener, Mr Ifeanyi Aigbedion, on Friday, accused Dokubo of being economical with the truth.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Dokubo levelled the allegations against the military while addressing newsmen after his meeting with President Bola Tinubu on Friday.

According to Aigbedion, Dokubo could have gone ahead and lobby for political patronage without raising unfounded allegations.

“Asari Dokubo can meet President Bola Tinubu and offer suggestions on the way forward, if he has it, without raising unfounded allegations at a time the new government is trying to settle down and proffer solutions to the economic crisis in the country.

“Even volunteering to use his boys to assist in tackling oil theft raises an eye brow and is more of selfish endeavour.

“Would the military and other security agencies have come in to the region if there had been no oil theft?

“Who are the real actors that are angry with anti-crude theft operations?

“Can Asari Dokubo mention names of the culprits, if he has them?,” the group queried.

Aigbedion said the armed forces under Gen. Lucky Irabor, should be commended for its sincere approach towards unraveling oil theft in the Niger Delta.

According to him, Nigerians are aware that no other Chief of Defence Staff has visited the sites of oiltheft like the present chief.

“Asari Dokubo and other persons in the region should reciprocate the sincerity exhibited by the leadership of the armed forces and chart a way forward,” he said. (NAN)

2023 Hajj: CSO commends airlines over patriotism,

Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), a Civil Society Organisation (CSO), has commended the Nigerian airlines engaged by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for 2023 Hajj, for their patriotism and cooperation toward the success of the ongoing exercise.

National Coordinator of the organisation, Malam Ibrahim Muhammed, made the commendation in a statement on Saturday in Makkah.

Mohammed disclosed that based on the agreement reached with the airlines, NAHCON was expected to pay at least he, however, explained that the airlines provided full services without NAHCON meeting the terms of agreement.

50 per cent of the total fare before the commencement of the journey to the Holy land, but failed to do so due to some exigencies.

“We are aware that after receiving all deposits from across the states, the Federal Capital Territopry (FCT) and the armed forces, NAHCON had gone ahead to deposit these monies into its accounts at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)

“The normal practice is for the apex bank to provide the dollar equivalent of monies deposited based on the approved official rates for disbursement by NAHCON to meet its obligations.

“But it is gratifying to note that after receiving assurances of payment whenever the dollars is made available, the airlines have gone ahead to not just offer full services, but they are so far doing a wonderful job.

” Over 50,000 pilgrims have so far been transported to Saudi Arabia by the airlines. We commend them for being patriotic,”he said procure AK-47 ammunition. He further said that the purpose of the intended procurement was to boost their arms capacity for continued kidnapping and cattle rustling activities around Saminaka, Lapai, Lambata and its environs, while he also said that he was promised two hundred and fifty thousand naira for the transaction.

However, effort is ongoing to apprehend the said Gora who is on the run, with a view to arresting others, as the suspect is under investigation in SCID Minna.

Adedeji’s appointment well deserved, CNG says

By Abubakar Yunusa Abuja

The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), has commended President Bola Tinubu over appointment of Adelabu Zacch Adedeji, as Special Adviser on revenue and said it is a welldeserved appointment.

CNG, in a statement by its Spokesperson, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, said Zacch Adedeji’s appointment, a renown champion of youth and bridge builder with vast network of friends across the North and Southeastern Nigeria, is another significant pointer to President Tinubu’s passionate belief in the organic links between generations.

He said: “President Tinubu’s meticulous selection of those who would carry his vision forward is displayed in the choice of Zacch who in 2011, at the age of 33, was appointed as the commissioner for finance by Governor Abiola Ajimobi.”